Why we fight
From the Beeb:
Oy.
The upper house of the Afghan parliament has supported a death sentence issued against a journalist for blasphemy in northern Afghanistan.These are good guys in Afghanistan.
Pervez Kambaksh, 23, was convicted last week of downloading and distributing an article insulting Islam. He has denied the charge.
. . .
Mr Kambaksh has at least two more courts in which to appeal and the sentence would have to be approved by President Karzai to be carried out.
He is a student at Balkh University and a journalist for Jahan-e Naw (New World).
He was arrested in 2007 after downloading material relating to the role of women in Islamic societies.
Oy.
Labels: Afghanistan
Since 1949, Durhamites have slept soundly, secure in the knowledge that, in our town, erection can be depended upon. Now, thanks to the power of the internets, we can spread that security all over the world.
2 Comments:
Wait, it gets even better: it is alleged that the charges filed against Pervez Kambaksh were actually intended to put pressure on his older brother, Yacoub, a reporter who has focused on the human rights abuses of the 'former' warlord who now governs the Afghan provence in which his brother was put on trial.
Pervez denies downloading the information, written by an Iranian journalist who was questioning why women shouldn't be allowed more than one husband, the same as men are allowed multiple wives under shari'a law. He was not allowed to speak at his trial, present evidence to contend the charges or arrange for legal counsel.
But, you say, President Bush just told us that Afghanistan is a land of nothing but roses and candy canes: "Thanks to the courage of these military and civilian personnel, a nation that was once a safe haven for al-Qaida is now a young democracy where boys and girls are going to school, new roads and hospitals are being built and people are looking to the future with new hope."
I'm curious how Dana Perino plans to buffonishly ignore questions about this case at the next press gaggle. Dollars to donuts, "Democracy is messy" makes it way into her response.
By
Dan S., at 5:05 PM
Dan - thanks for that additional info. I'll try to keep an eye out for developments in this story.
By
Barry, at 10:20 PM
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